Cambodian parties break deadlock, CNRP to take seats in Parliament

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Cambodia's main opposition leader Sam Rainsy of the Cambodia National Rescue Party during his meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Tuesday. Pic: AP.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Leaders of Cambodia’s ruling and opposition parties say they have reached an agreement to end a political deadlock since last year’s contentious election.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Tuesday that they had agreed upon a joint political solution to end the crisis.

The two, along with representatives from both camps, met in a five-hour-long closed-door meeting. It was the third round of talks between the ruling and the opposition parties.

Lawmakers from Sam Rainsy’s Cambodia National Rescue Party have boycotted their seats in the Parliament since last July’s election, which they alleged was rigged, and are demanding reforms and new elections.

It is expected that eight opposition party members who were arrested last week will be released after the agreement.

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